A huge fire swept through Notre Dame Cathedral (巴黎圣母院) in central Paris on Monday afternoon, 15 April, 2019.

As it burned into the evening, firefighters fought all night to prevent one of the main bell towers from collapsing (倒塌) and tried to save priceless artwork. The US President suggested using water-dropping aircraft. However, dropping much water from aircraft on the 12th century structure could cause the whole building to fall.

Thousands of people gathered in the streets around the cathedral, watching the fire in silence. Some could be seen crying, while others sang hymns or said prayers (祷告).

By early Tuesday morning, officials said the fire was under control and the church’s main structure had been saved. Also, several invaluable artifacts (珍贵的文物) had been saved from the burning cathedral. However, the fire caused cathedral’s spire of the tower to collapse completely.

Built in the 12th and 13th centuries, Notre Dame is the most famous of the Gothic (哥特式的) cathedrals of the Middle Ages as well as one of the most valuable structures in the world. It is a symbol of French and European culture, well-known to the world after the book Notre-Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo was published.

And it wasn’t until nineteenth century before the Cathedral was fully restored (修复) thanks in part to the writer Victor Hugo.

The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, but people wondered whether it had something to do with the restorations. French President Emmanuel Macron rushed to the scene and straight into meetings at the Paris police headquarters nearby. In a speech later Monday night, he promised to rebuild the church and said he would seek international help to do so.

It is a beautiful evening. Everything is quiet. Suddenly I see an old cave. Perhaps this is the stranger’s hiding place. The place is empty. But there is a loaf of bread and the remains of a fire inside the cave. This must be his place! So I decide to hide in the cave and wait. After a while I hear footsteps.

“It is a lovely evening, my dear Watson,” says a voice I know well. “How are you?”

The tall thin stranger is at the entrance — it is Sherlock Holmes!

“Holmes! I’m so happy to see you,” I say as get up. “What are you doing here? Why are you not in London?” “I'm trying to find out what is happening,” replies Holmes. “And I’ve got some interesting information. Miss Stapleton is not Mr Stapleton’s sister, but his wife.”

“Good heavens, Holmes! Are you sure of this?”

“In your report you say that Stapleton was a teacher. After a little investigation, I discover the teacher is obviously our Mr Stapleton.”

“Look, Watson, you must go back to Baskerville Hall and stay with Sir Henry.”

Suddenly we hear a terrible scream. “Oh, my goodness!” I gasp. “What is it?”

“The hound!” cries Holmes. “Come, Watson! Come!” We run quickly over the moor.

“We are too late, Watson.”

A man is lying on the ground. As we approach we see the dead body of Sir Henry Baskerville! He is wearing his brown tweed suit.

“Oh, no!” says Holmes,

“It is not Sir Henry — why, it is the escaped prisoner, Selden!”

Then, suddenly, it is all clear to me. I remember that Sir Henry gave his old suit to Barrymore, and Barrymore probably gave it to Selden.

“Then Selden is dead because of this suit,” says Holmes. “Think, Watson! Someone gives the hound some of Sir Henry’s clothes.”

Suddenly we see someone walking towards us. It is Stapleton.

Then he sees the dead body and adds: “Oh no! What’s this? Is our dear friend Sir Henry dead?”

—Taken from The Hound of the Baskervilles

The pirates did not return. After lunch, the doctor took his pistol and sword. He put the map in his pocket and left. He wanted to find Ben Gunn.

It was very hot and unpleasant inside the fort. I had a plan and I needed to leave the fort. I took two pistols(手枪) and left q    66     when Gray and the squire were with the captain.

First I ran down to the white rocks and looked for Ben Gunn’s boat. I soon f    67     it under some bushes. It was a simple boat, made out of branches (树枝) and goat skins, and it was very l    68     to carry. I decided to wait u    69     it was dark and row to the Hispaniola. I wanted to cut the ship adrift, leaving it to float(漂流) with the currents. As I waited, I could see the pirates’ fire b    70     and out on the water the lights on the ship.

As soon as it was dark, I got into the boat and rowed out to the Hispaniola. I found the rope that c    71     the ship to the anchor and cut through it with my knife until the ship was free. As I did this, I could h    72     the angry voices of Israel Hands and another mutineer in a cabin above me.

The ship began to move away in the night air.

By then I was so t    73     that I fell asleep and dreamed of home and the Admiral Benbow. When I awoke, I found m    74     at the south-west end of Treasure Island. I was only about 300 metres from the shore. When I l    75     quietly in the bottom of the boat, it moved perfectly over the water. But as soon as I sat up, the boat went out of control. So I lay down, and used the paddle from that position. I moved slowly closer to the land, but the current was strong and the boat moved past the bay.

—Taken from Treasure Island

81. 如今一些中学生缺乏感恩之心，对待家人、老师、朋友等很冷漠，行为方式和价值观令人担忧。作为一名中学生，请你根据下图中所提供的信息“Learn to Express Thanks”为题，用英语写一篇演讲稿。